“If Obamacare is in fact not repealed, we will find tactics to shallow out any Obamacare costs and core strategies to pass that cost onto consumers in order to protect our shareholders best interests,” Schnatter said at the time during a conference call.

Here’s what Freedomworks said Thursday, as it urged Obamacare critics to make their Friday night dinner plans early:

“There was the expected liberal backlash. As has become routine for those who oppose anything related to Obama, Schattner was accused of racism. He was also painted as a wealthy man who was willing to hurt workers for his own bottom line or simply to be anti-Obama.”

Freedomworks noted the long lines at Chick-fil-a restaurants across the nation this summer when a similar appreciation day was created for the chicken chain, after its chief executive was criticized for his comments on gay marriage.

A Papa John’s spokeswoman did not immediately return a telephone message and e-mail from WFPL seeking comment. We’ll update when she gets back to us.